The Agriates, a land full of history.“The products of the Agriata region are extremely savorous; the wheat, the meat and even the fish are more exquisite than anywhere else in Corsica”. This is what Agostino Giustinianni, bishop of Corsica, said about the Agriates in 1514. The Agriates desert is one of the most beautiful regions of the island, with its 40 kilometers of deserted coastline and its mountainous chain called “Serra di a Tenda”. The region has the sumptuous Ostriconi valley on its west side and the Saint-Florent Gulf and the Nebbiu flatland on its east side. There has been human activity going on ever since the Neolithic era. The region used to be surnamed “the Corsican attic”, thanks to the fertile land where citrus fruits, olive and fig trees were being cultivated.
But near the end of the XIX-th century, forest fires ravaged the area, and it was renamed “the Agriates Desert”, in spite of its richness and the biological diversity in essential oils (pines, green oaks, cistus, myrtle, arbutus and mastic trees). Even today, ruins of “ pagliaghji” (former shepherd shelters) are to be seen all over the region; the landscape is filled with symbols of the dense agricultural history of this exceptional land.
In the name of the Father. At the end of the 1960’s, Jo Poli, an Algerian war veteran, establishes in Teddi, at the foot of Mount Genova, the highest point of the Agriates region with its 421meters in altitude, to turn a page in his life, which had been quite tumultuous until then. He started to work long and hard to fulfill his dream for the second part of his life; to plant a vineyard right in the middle of a deserted area, abandoned by human kind for decades. After many years of great effort, he reaches his goal: 40 hectares of vineyard of his own. The chosen types of vine stocks are exclusively Corsican: Niellucciu, Vermentinu and Sciaccarellu. But unfortunately, in 1991, he brutally passes away, leaving behind his only daughter Marie-Brigitte, who had already lost her mother in 1989.
Today, Marie-Brigitte is the owner of the vineyard.
At the age of 17, an adolescent still, she faces a heavy dilemma: she could either sell the land her father worked on for so many years, or she could carry out his dream. As she is a woman with a strong sense of duty and with enough willpower to perpetuate her father’s dream, she decides to continue the work Jo once begun. She didn’t know the slightest thing about agriculture, let alone about running a vineyard, but she rolled up her sleeves and decided to pursue the adventure.
It will take a couple of years before she finally gets the hang of it; she restores the vines, professionalizes production and improves the wine quality. A genuine challenge…
From Corsica to New York. After 22 years of relentless work, Clos Teddi has imposed itself as a not to be overlooked reference in the Patrimoniu Appellation and among all the other Corsican vineyards. Every single year, 120.000 bottles are produced in a high-tech wine cellar, but in a traditional way. The Clos Teddi wines can be savoured in Corsica, on the European Continent, but also in the most renowned establishments in New York, Japan, Shanghai and even in Wallis & Futuna (a small French island in the South Pacific). Marie-Brigitte’s career, patience and determination was recently rewarded with international acknowledgment.
She has also succeeded to pass the love for her region and her ancient craft on to her children and the change of the guard will be assured in future years.
Her family’s story will continue, as the profound love for this exceptional region has overtaken her son and her daughter as well.
Chapter.01
History
When the desert starts to bloom
Chapter.02
Soil
The Agriates desert is a fascinating region in many ways, which will not cease to surprise its visitors with wild perfumes and rare landscapes, all while being very suitable for vineyards. Clos Teddi’s winery has naturally found it’s home in this rather dry environment, very close to the Mediterranean sea.
The Close Teddi vineyards are cradled by a purifying marine breeze, of which the soil profits all year round, in order to guarantee a harvest of perfectly matured grapes.
The combination of our granitic and sandy soil, which is naturally porous, aerated and filtering, with an exceptional microclimate, characterized by limited rain levels and abundant sunshine, awards us with uncommon wines with bold character.
Our vineyards stretch out over 40 hectares, a quarter of them being planted recently and will only produce grapes in 2019.
The desire to bring together an ancestral craft with a modern lifestyle, is pushing us to restructure our vineyard progressively. But of course our authentic vine stocks of almost half a century old, will remain, especially for the elaboration of our red wines. We want to add real value to our production, while respecting our terroir.
The average age of our vine stocks for white and rosé wines is 15 years.
Our production is about 35hl/ha for our white and rosé wines and about 25hl/ha for our red wines.
The average density of the vine stocks is 4000 per hectare.
The domain benefits from the natural sumptuousness of its direct environment; the island of Corsica. The vineyards are predominantly composed of endemic, traditional and noble grape varieties : Vermentinu for white wines, Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu for rosé wines, Niellucciu and Grenache for red wines.
The Close Teddi vineyards are cradled by a purifying marine breeze, of which the soil profits all year round, in order to guarantee a harvest of perfectly matured grapes.
The combination of our granitic and sandy soil, which is naturally porous, aerated and filtering, with an exceptional microclimate, characterized by limited rain levels and abundant sunshine, awards us with uncommon wines with bold character.
Our vineyards stretch out over 40 hectares, a quarter of them being planted recently and will only produce grapes in 2019.
The desire to bring together an ancestral craft with a modern lifestyle, is pushing us to restructure our vineyard progressively. But of course our authentic vine stocks of almost half a century old, will remain, especially for the elaboration of our red wines. We want to add real value to our production, while respecting our terroir.
The average age of our vine stocks for white and rosé wines is 15 years.
Our production is about 35hl/ha for our white and rosé wines and about 25hl/ha for our red wines.
The average density of the vine stocks is 4000 per hectare.
The domain benefits from the natural sumptuousness of its direct environment; the island of Corsica. The vineyards are predominantly composed of endemic, traditional and noble grape varieties : Vermentinu for white wines, Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu for rosé wines, Niellucciu and Grenache for red wines.
Chapter.03
GRAPE VARIETIES
VERMENTINU
Introduced in Corsica in the XVI-th century, and also called “Malvoisie de Corse”, the Vermentinu is a unique grape variety of the Patrimonio Appellation. It produces high quality white wines, with an exceptional aromatic body… One of the best of the whole Mediterranean region. The Vermentinu grapes enable the production of very typical dry white wines, voluminous and strong, often with a high percentage of alcohol.
Vermentinu offers a vast aromatic palette , and provides a pale yellow colour with a green glow. The nose is elegant, composed of a bouquet of white fruits and flowers, mixed with citrus and exotic fruits and a hint of almond. Its body provides a certain intensity, with a steady level of harmony in the mouth.
Introduced in Corsica in the XVI-th century, and also called “Malvoisie de Corse”, the Vermentinu is a unique grape variety of the Patrimonio Appellation. It produces high quality white wines, with an exceptional aromatic body… One of the best of the whole Mediterranean region. The Vermentinu grapes enable the production of very typical dry white wines, voluminous and strong, often with a high percentage of alcohol.
Vermentinu offers a vast aromatic palette , and provides a pale yellow colour with a green glow. The nose is elegant, composed of a bouquet of white fruits and flowers, mixed with citrus and exotic fruits and a hint of almond. Its body provides a certain intensity, with a steady level of harmony in the mouth.
NIELLUCCIU
The Niellucciu is a very ancient red grape variety.
In the Tuscan Chianty region, Niellucciu is also known as Sangiovese. It appreciates near infertile and clay-chalk soils, and is particularly adapted to sunny and warm climates. Corsica’s coastal softness is perfectly suited for this variety of vine stocks. Niellucciu is the king variety of the Patrimonio Appellation, it has made its region renowned for giving the wines a very sustained and profound red colour.
Niellucciu promises finesse, density and a full body. Its bouquet is the sum of fur, hare and licorice, liberating red fruit and violet aromas with a woody note, which over the years evolves into spice and maquis flower aromas.
The Niellucciu is a very ancient red grape variety.
In the Tuscan Chianty region, Niellucciu is also known as Sangiovese. It appreciates near infertile and clay-chalk soils, and is particularly adapted to sunny and warm climates. Corsica’s coastal softness is perfectly suited for this variety of vine stocks. Niellucciu is the king variety of the Patrimonio Appellation, it has made its region renowned for giving the wines a very sustained and profound red colour.
Niellucciu promises finesse, density and a full body. Its bouquet is the sum of fur, hare and licorice, liberating red fruit and violet aromas with a woody note, which over the years evolves into spice and maquis flower aromas.
SCIACCARELLU
This grape variety only exists in Corsica. Its name is derived from the adjective “sciacca”, evoking the crispy characteristic of the grapes. Their skin withers from the moment the grapes mature. The hot Mediterranean climate and its granite soils in which the vine stocks are planted, unite the ideal conditions for a nice maturation. The Sciaccarellu production is quite homogenous. It reigns in the granitic parts of the island (around Ajaccio and Sartène) and finds a unique combination of sand and granite at Close Teddi, which makes it a unique area of predilection in the Patrimonio Appellation.
Sciaccarellu provides rosé wines with an extreme finesse and a rich and incomparable aromatic palette, releasing red and exotic fruit notes, combined with flowers and spices, allying complexity and elegance. Commonly low in colour, its pale pink robe provides a well-established acidity.
This grape variety only exists in Corsica. Its name is derived from the adjective “sciacca”, evoking the crispy characteristic of the grapes. Their skin withers from the moment the grapes mature. The hot Mediterranean climate and its granite soils in which the vine stocks are planted, unite the ideal conditions for a nice maturation. The Sciaccarellu production is quite homogenous. It reigns in the granitic parts of the island (around Ajaccio and Sartène) and finds a unique combination of sand and granite at Close Teddi, which makes it a unique area of predilection in the Patrimonio Appellation.
Sciaccarellu provides rosé wines with an extreme finesse and a rich and incomparable aromatic palette, releasing red and exotic fruit notes, combined with flowers and spices, allying complexity and elegance. Commonly low in colour, its pale pink robe provides a well-established acidity.
GRENACHE
Grenache is the ultimate Mediterranean grape variety and one of the most cultivated in the world. The bunches, luxuriant with grapes, provide a very sweet juice. Its wines have rather high alcohol levels and low acids, they release a profusion of black fruits like plums or figs and highlight hints of cacao, coffee and spices.
Grenache offers aromatic, coloured and well-structured wines, while preserving its flexibility.
Grenache is the ultimate Mediterranean grape variety and one of the most cultivated in the world. The bunches, luxuriant with grapes, provide a very sweet juice. Its wines have rather high alcohol levels and low acids, they release a profusion of black fruits like plums or figs and highlight hints of cacao, coffee and spices.
Grenache offers aromatic, coloured and well-structured wines, while preserving its flexibility.
Chapter.04
Wines
Chapter.05
Store
Chapter.06
Contact
Casta , 20217 Saint Florent
09 66 82 24 07 - 06 10 84 11 73
clos.teddi@orange.fr
Chapter.08
Library
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